Regarding the deliberate suppression of Neo-Confucianism by the emperor, many defenders of Dao were angry, furious, and so incompetent that they felt like mourning their heirs. Geng Dingxiang was just one of them. Among the millions of people in the capital, how many people really care?
Ever since Zhu Xi wrote, "If one's mind is still there among plants, trees, and utensils, what kind of knowledge is this? If you hope to gain something like this, it is like cooking sand and hoping to turn it into rice." Taoism has become the sworn enemy of the study of physics. , even though his theory held the status of official philosophy in the Yuan and Ming dynasties, Zhu Yijun was bound to be deposed quickly.
Of course, as a cadre of later generations, Zhu Yijun attached great importance to work in the ideological field. The orthodoxy of later generations of China can be summed up in one word: "the Sinicization of Marxism." Classic works have been written into the constitution, and compulsory education has also been inculcated in turn. However, in the ideological field, bourgeois liberalization ideas are still stubbornly growing, and sometimes they can even occupy the high ground of public opinion. The root cause is simply determined by the economic foundation.
His decision to "respect Confucius but not Zhu" in Nantai was a decision made after careful consideration. Although the empire stretches from south to north, a cub called "capitalism" is growing under his care, but before it grows its fangs and uses wild power to tear apart the Ming Dynasty's farming economy and its superstructure, it is difficult for those who have already Even the emperor did not dare to challenge the "Confucianism" that permeated the bones and blood of the Chinese people.
...
But after all, the wind still started to rise. The many articles published by Li Zhi and others were just the beginning of the strong wind at the end of Qingping. After the Nantai Conference, Neo-Confucianism faced the real storm.
Many thinkers who can grasp the context of the times, facing the shaky reality of Neo-Confucianism, are looking up at the universe, overlooking the national economy and people's livelihood, thinking about the changes in China that have not happened in thousands of years, and trying to occupy the high ground of new ideas.
"If Neo-Confucianism loses its deer, the world can chase it away together." This is the greatest significance of the Nantai Conference in the history of Chinese thought, culture, and all history at this time. Its convening is an unavoidable time point in the world history of this time and space, and the visit of the Holy See missionary three days before its convening is a wonderful coincidence in the process of the birth of a new civilization.
When the three missionaries received the appointment letter from Beijing Normal University, they were so happy that their heads were spinning. Fan Li'an repeatedly asked Ricci what he had discussed with Xu Guangqi that afternoon. Matteo Ricci said: "I didn't, I didn't say anything. I just talked about the education I had received. Count Xu Guangqi also asked about your two experiences. I can swear that we can be hired as professors with me. It has nothing to do with Xu Guangqi’s exchanges.”
Fan Li'an was born into a well-known family, and was a fellow villager of Pope Paul IV, and was deeply loved by the Pope. When he was nineteen, he received a doctorate in law from the University of Bardo, and later entered St. Andrew's University, where he studied theology, mathematics, physics and philosophy. He was one of the top academic bishops in the Holy See.
Luo Mingjian was not far behind. He was known as the "Father of Western Sinology" in later generations. He obtained two doctorates in law while studying in Italy. What is even more amazing is that at this time, he had completely mastered Chinese and could write in classical Chinese, and his thinking had been partially Chineseized.
Matteo Ricci was born in Macerata, Italy. His family ran a Ricci pharmacy and was considered a well-known local family. After graduating from high school, he studied astrology under the tutelage of the mathematician Kraou, and Fan Li'an was also his teacher at that time. Matteo Ricci studied a wide range of subjects, including astronomy, mathematics, geometry, geography, etc. He mastered Greek, Latin, Spanish and Portuguese, and was studying Chinese in depth.
These three missionaries did not know their important position in Zhu Yijun's mind. On the contrary, because of the cold reception he received all the way north, he had lowered his expectations several times before meeting the emperor. In the end, Fan Li'an told himself that as long as the emperor could receive him, it would be the highest achievement of the mission, and he would not expect any other gods. Will forgive myself for being greedy.
The greater the disappointment at that time, the sweeter the fruits obtained at this time. The trio never expected that the emperor would send a large gift package: he would soon send an envoy to visit the Holy See, grant land to build a church, and even give him a teaching position at the Capital University!
Such a kind encounter suddenly conquered the hearts of the three missionaries. In their missionary career, they had never received such treatment. Even Fan Li'an, who had successfully preached in Japan, was so excited that his eyes became red after receiving the letter of appointment from the Ministry of Education.
...
The Capital University under construction covers an area of 800 acres and was rebuilt from the West Factory that had been abandoned for many years. The north gate is facing Lingji Palace. In the capital, where every inch of land was at a premium, nearly a hundred households were relocated and a school twenty times larger than the Imperial College was built. One can imagine the status of the capital university in the eyes of the emperor.
If the area is too large, the building will be almost useless. Because cement and white ash have been mass-produced, most of the buildings in the Capital University are made of masonry. They are similar to the sloping roof tile houses that have begun to appear in the north at this time, except that the glass windows are large and numerous, and the indoor lighting is better.
The classrooms and student dormitories are simple and simple, but the professors’ residences are high-end and classy. Especially the palace specially built for Zhu Yijun is even more beautiful. In addition to these places, the Capital University also has a bell tower built with strips of stone. It was constructed under the guidance of Portuguese craftsmen from Macau. It is the first European-style building in the Capital.
Of course, at this time, Chinese craftsmen were building masonry towers, and there was no technical problem. Zhu Yijun's instructions to build a large bell tower at the Capital University were originally based on the idea of "inclusiveness", so that teachers and students would understand the correctness of cultural exchanges between China and the West. It's what the emperor wants.
...
The three missionaries could not suppress their excitement. Accompanied by the minister of Honglu Temple and an interpreter, they walked around the Capital University where the final work was still being completed. Matteo Ricci had sharp eyes and saw the spire building from a distance. He couldn't believe it and rubbed his eyes.
Hongbao layman Tu Long pointed at the bell tower from afar and said: "This bell tower was designed and built by Portuguese craftsmen from Macao invited by the Chief Secretary of Guangdong. You Europeans should look familiar to this style."
Fan Li'an put his hand on his forehead and stammered: "My...my God, is this a bell tower?"
A few people walked quickly for a quarter of an hour before reaching the bottom of the bell tower. The closer I get, the more magnificent this building becomes. The bell tower covers an area of nearly an acre and is nearly thirty feet tall. There are dials on all sides of the top. The architectural style is the Jesuit Baroque style that began to emerge in Europe. It has double columns, a smooth sloped roof, and scroll patterns. It is solemn, noble, elegant, and quite... There is a shocking beauty.
Tu Long introduced: "The construction of this bell tower started when the imperial court finalized the plan for the Capital University. It took three years to complete and cost 40,000 taels - it is the most expensive building in the entire Capital University." Fan Anli and others were amazed.
While everyone was admiring it, the clock happened to reach ten o'clock in the morning, and the big bell rang, loud and melodious, and several missionaries were fascinated by it. Tu Long listened to the sound of the bell and introduced it: "My emperor built this bell tower, firstly to facilitate the people of the capital to grasp the time, and also to verify an important event."
Matteo Ricci pointed to the bell tower and asked in half-baked Chinese: "What's the name of this bell?" Tu Long was dumbfounded and didn't understand what it meant. The interpreter beside him replied directly in Latin: "The name is simple, it's called 'University'. Bell." Matteo Ricci nodded.
Fan Li'an asked, "I wonder what your Majesty wants to verify?" Tu Long smiled and said, "Everyone, come in with me."
Climbing up the steps of the bell tower, Matteo Ricci discovered that there were actually two Ming soldiers standing guard under the university bell, armed with live ammunition.
Tu Long took out his badge from the Ministry of Rites and exchanged a few words with the Ming army on guard. The Ming army pushed open the heavy wooden door and signaled that they could enter.
Fan Li'an and others followed Tu Long into the building. The first thing they saw was the smooth white marble floor. The light could detect people and make their silhouettes appear.
Further forward, what comes into view is a circular copper railing. There is a spherical copper pendulum in the middle of the railing, and there is a long, thin needle below the pendulum. Under the long needle is a pure white sand table, with measuring angles inlaid with copper strips around the sand table.
Naturally, when everyone saw the steel rope on the copper pendulum, they looked up along the steel rope, and then all the missionaries took a long breath.
Matteo Ricci asked: "Is this bell tower not divided into layers?" Tu Long had been here once before and introduced with a bit of pride: "No, five feet down from the top is where the big bell is installed. The big bell mechanism The big swing is at the bottom. Did you see the spiral staircase? Apart from the big swing, this is the only staircase in the building."
"Your Majesty said that although this bell tower is expensive, it is worth spending ten times more money to house this grand display!"
Fan Li'an said with a smile: "What is your majesty trying to prove with this big show?" Tu Long laughed, stood outside the sand table, picked up a long copper pole, and said to Matteo Ricci: "Mr. Li, please use this hook to hook that Come over with the copper pendulum hook." After he hooked it over, Tu Long asked him to put a hook on the railing beside the sand table on the copper pendulum.
Matteo Ricci did as he was told, and Tu Long said: "Mr. Li, you are now standing at zero degrees in the sky. You said that if you open the button and put the pendulum away, the pendulum should be between zero and one hundred and eighty degrees." Let’s swing on a straight line between degrees.”
Matteo Ricci carefully inspected the large copper pendulum and eliminated all factors of human intervention. Fan Li'an and Luo Mingjian didn't know why, so they also checked with Matteo Ricci.
Matteo Ricci said: "Yes, this big pendulum should swing in a straight line." Tu Long smiled and said: "Then you can let it go."
Matteo Ricci pressed the switch, and the big pendulum swung out in front of it, and the long needle drew a clear trajectory on the white sand table. Matteo Ricci asked: "What does this mean?"
Tu Long said: "Let's go up the stairs and take a look at the universal shaft at the top of the pendulum. Then we can see the obvious results when we come down."
An hour later, several missionaries looked at each other in confusion. The protractors and sand table under their feet proved irrefutably that the pendulum had deflected about ten degrees, and a clear and symmetrical petal pattern was drawn on the sand table.
Tu Long said: "Although I rarely read the periodicals of Gewu, I still came to see this display when it was completed and waited for two hours."
"This great pendulum rotates once every thirty-seven new hours, proving that the earth beneath our feet is itself rotating."
